luggage

[johnbaker]

i have the bmw vario cases on my bike.i just don't think the are really up the task of a long trip.the side case mounting "mushroom" will not stay tight. and they just seem flimsy.i am looking at purchasing a set of aluminum luggage.i really liked the metal mules i saw at the bmwmoa rally this summer.what are some of you using , and the pros / cons ? thanks,john

[HMarc]

I've done about 43,000 miles with my stock BMW saddlebags, and while they aren't perfect, they pretty darn good IMHO. They keep my stuff dry, they go on and off fairly easily, and aren't too difficult to carry into the motel at night.

I had some trouble keeping the mounting mushrooms tight myself at first, then I simply put a dab of blue Locktite on them and haven't had any trouble since. Getting the right height for them is a trick (mine weren't anywhere 'right' when I took delivery). I use 20mm as the distance from the frame to the bottom edge of the mushroom.

[Beemer]

I have used the BMW stock cases for two years now, including some very rough riding. No major problems, to my surprise, as they have not been designed to be used for off road conditions AFAIK. No leaks, even in extremely wet conditions, adjustable volume, easy and fast mounting/dismounting, what more can you ask for. Cheaper price, perhaps. I have no personal experience in how robust they are if you lean the bike on them, but a friend of mine dropped the bike and the case is still intact, with few scratches though...

[Black'n'White]

I've ridden thousands of miles in rain, hauled a ton of camping gear and clothes down some God awful roads, crashed 'em, and even used 'em as an outrigger when the front wheel washed out. Never had anything get wet or even damaged, and Al Jesse was just a phone call away the only time I needed parts (new rubber buffers after several years). I'd buy another set in a heart beat, but with the universal mounting bracket Al's using now, I'll probably never have to.

No commercial interest in Jesse Luggage Systems, just a well satisfied customer.

Scot

[johnbaker]

thanks for the link.very nice.

[Julio de Torremolinos]

Those Jesse look great adn strong. the lowering of the pot is a clever point.

My story is the I use OE Vario´s and no problem up to now with panniers. I have lost twice the top case, but I drilled now across the sopport tray and no more problems !!

I dronve south Morocco and trakcs in the Sahara and many Spain mainland croses south-north, trakcs, etc. and still there, despite the bad feel.

[Emoto]

I have the OEM BMW cases too, and they have been fine after having been mounted for a large percentage of the bike's 33,000+ miles.

I share the concerns about crashworthiness and might just spring for a set of the new Jesse Safari bags, although Micatech bags get good reviews from their owners too.

[blender]

My '05 R12GS bought used came with the Vario panniers. I did not like them.
Dislikes: Small capacity, even when expanded. Unless bags were used stuff falls out. The aluminum covers easily dented. Fiddly mounting system. And it's been reported (altho not experienced by me) that the mounting tabs easily break off in a crash.

I bit the bullet and purchased Micatech tech bags. http://www.micatech.net/
I prefer side-openers and the Micatech bags have a "well" that prevents stuff from tumbling out. The bags mounts are unobtrisive when the bags are off, and the bags easily go on/off. Oh, and these things are *big*.

Steve Huber
Madison, WI

[Tasker]

Originally Posted by johnbaker

i just don't think the are really up the task of a long trip.

John, I'm on my second R12GS with the Vario cases and I love them. I've had no problems over the course of thousands of miles, both on the road and off.

I like the way they look and the flexibility of the adjustable sizing. And, mine have never leaked during some very nasty runs.

I've found them to be very sturdy.

Now, the Vario topcase is a different animal. It enjoys taking flight.

Don't ask...

[MarcS]

I have about 6k on the Vario panniers.

They are OK. I think the older BMW system luggage is better. They just do not seem as durable. I have lost two of the little rubber bumpers on the bottom. They are not fastened very well.

They seem very cool and gimmicky at the dealership and they fit the style of the bike much better than the Jesse luggage, but if I had it to do all over again I'd get the Jesse stuff.